Medial SPL Blend Words for Speech Therapy

Medial SPL Blend Words are words that have the /spl/ sound in the middle, such as explain, explanation, and explained. This list has 7 medial-position SPL Blend words for speech therapy practice, and most children master the /spl/ sound by age 8.

SPL Blend words in the middle: explain, explanation, explained, explaining, explore, explosions, displeasure. Medial position surrounds the target sound with other sounds, which builds fluency and carryover into connected speech.

Words:7
Position:Medial

Medial SPL Blend Words — Full List (7 Words)

Every word below has the /spl/ sound in the middle. Work through five at a time rather than the whole list in one sitting.

explainexplanationexplainedexplainingexploreexplosionsdispleasure
Practice these words with games

How to Practice Medial SPL Blend Words at Home

Strategies for practicing the /spl/ sound in the middle of words.

1

Break words into syllables and have your child practice the syllable containing the /spl/ sound first, then put the word back together.

2

Medial position words can be trickier because the /spl/ sound is surrounded by other sounds. Slow the word down so your child can feel each part.

3

Clap out the syllables of each word and emphasize the syllable with the /spl/ sound.

4

Use these words in short, natural phrases (e.g., "I see a explain") to practice in connected speech.

5

Once your child can say the word slowly with the correct /spl/ sound, gradually speed up to a natural pace.

Medial SPL Blend Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of SPL Blend words in the medial position?
This page lists 7 SPL Blend words that have the /spl/ sound in the middle, including explain, explanation, explained, explaining, explore, explosions, displeasure.
What age should a child master the SPL Blend sound?
Most children master the /spl/ blend by age 8. Blends arrive after the sounds they are made of: the /S/, /P/ and /L/ sounds each have to be reliable on their own before the cluster will hold, which is also the order to practise them in. Three-sound clusters like this one are the last thing English-speaking children master, typically between 7 and 9, so a six-year-old who cannot say it yet is squarely within the normal range.
How do you make the SPL Blend sound?
Because there are so few words, practise the ones that exist rather than hunting for volume: splash, splat, split, splash-es. Build from /sp/ and add the /l/, and make sure the /l/ singleton is reliable first — a "spwash" is an /l/ problem.
What are common SPL Blend sound errors?
The most common /spl/ errors are: Reducing /spl/ to the shorter /sp/ blend — one of the three sounds dropped, but not the whole cluster.; Reducing /spl/ to the shorter /pl/ blend — one of the three sounds dropped, but not the whole cluster.; Cluster reduction — producing only the /S/ sound and dropping the rest of the blend. This is by far the most common blend error.; Cluster reduction — producing only the /L/ sound and dropping the rest of the blend. This is by far the most common blend error..
How do you practice medial SPL Blend words at home?
Break words into syllables and have your child practice the syllable containing the /spl/ sound first, then put the word back together. Medial position words can be trickier because the /spl/ sound is surrounded by other sounds. Slow the word down so your child can feel each part.

More SPL Blend Word Lists & Resources

Practice the /spl/ sound in the other word positions, or use the full sound guide and word list.

Initial SPL Blend Words

5 words with tips

SPL Blend Guide

How to make it, common errors, FAQ

All SPL Blend Words

Complete 12-word list, all positions

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each sound should appear

Speech Therapy Games

Practice SPL Blend words with interactive activities

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